Difference between revisions of "DataCaster"

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The [[Terrans]] used DataCasters to great effect against the [[Vilani]] in the early period of the [[Interstellar Wars]]. For over a century, wars on [[Terra]] had involved an [[electronic warfare]] component, and Terran nations had developed myriad systems for overwhelming and disabling adversarial computer systems. The [[Vilani]] had no such traditions. They had not encountered malicious computer code before, and their previous enemies did not utilize [[electronic warfare]]. {{Unpublished cite|author= [[Matthew Kerwin]] }}
 
The [[Terrans]] used DataCasters to great effect against the [[Vilani]] in the early period of the [[Interstellar Wars]]. For over a century, wars on [[Terra]] had involved an [[electronic warfare]] component, and Terran nations had developed myriad systems for overwhelming and disabling adversarial computer systems. The [[Vilani]] had no such traditions. They had not encountered malicious computer code before, and their previous enemies did not utilize [[electronic warfare]]. {{Unpublished cite|author= [[Matthew Kerwin]] }}
  
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One of the most infamous Terran DataCaster attacks during their [[TL:7-9]] [[tech epoch]] involved the implantation of a computer worm or virus known as ''Stuxxnet,'' or ''Stuck-Net,'' which disabled or destroyed an entire network of strategic weapon laboratories and weapons for an ancient Terran balkanized [[polity]].
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One of the most infamous Terran DataCaster attacks during their [[TL:7-9]] [[tech epoch]] involved the implantation of a computer worm or virus known as ''Stuxxnet,'' or ''Stuck-Net,'' which disabled or destroyed an entire network of strategic weapon laboratories and weapons for an ancient Terran balkanized [[polity]]. {{Unpublished cite|author= [[Maksim-Smelchak]] }}
  
 
== References & Contributors ([[Sources]]) ==
 
== References & Contributors ([[Sources]]) ==
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{{Wikipedia|Stuxnet}}
 
{{Advanced}}
 
{{Advanced}}
 
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Revision as of 15:10, 15 August 2019

DataCaster
Technical Data.jpg
TBD
Type Electronic Warfare Device
Tech Level TL–10
Cost Various
Size Various
Weight Various
Manufacturer Various
Also see Ship Equipment
Reference T5 Core Rules 388.
TBD

A DataCaster is an electronic warfare weapon. [1]

Description (Specifications)

DataCasters are starship-mounted offensive weapons designed to overwhelm enemy sensors with excess data, preventing them from functioning. In addition, DataCasters can jam communications and potentially install computer virii in insufficiently protected enemy computers. [4]

  • DataCasters are typically turret-mounted. Their efficacy is based largely on their tech level compared to the target's tech level. [5]

Image Repository

No information yet available.

Functional Explication

DataCasters are offensive weapons broadcasting or beamcasting petabytes of information at or against enemy sensors and communicators. DataCasters pursue three strategies:

  1. They attempt to spook or overload sensors.
  2. They attempt to introduce viruses into onboard systems through flaws in sensor inputs.
  3. They transmit tailored psychological messages and propaganda. [6]

Specific Capabilities

Specific attacks and mechanisms include:

  1. Sensor Overload: Successful DataCaster Attacks on Sensors or Comms inflict Damage on a specific Sensor or Comm. [7] This occurs through overloading and deliberate misfunction instruction of the electronics device. [8]
  2. Virus Implantation: Successful DataCaster attacks on non-Sensor or non-Comm locations may insert a Virus. A Virus successfully introduced onto a ship may disables the component at the Hit Location. Viruses can spread to adjacent ship equipment. A Virus may be isolated and destroyed if all computer connections are cut between infected locations and other uninfected locations. [9] Computers may operate independently; but independent operation may prevent shipboard use of batteries, commcasters, and restrict naval weapons to reduced ranges or limited functionality. [10]
  3. Psychological Attacks: Datacaster attacks provide a shifting series of morale attacks, false messages, appeals to a variety of cultural and social fears. Psychological attacks challenge the Sanity of crew, passengers, staff, and troops. [11] A successful Datacaster may cause psychological distress to crewsophonts or possibly even drive them insane under extreme conditions. [12]
  4. Intelligent Ordnance Spoofing: One purpose of DataCasters is to communicate with enemy Self-Aware Missile Brains. Success shocks the Brain into inaction or may even cause the ordnance to turn on its launchers. [13]

History & Background (Dossier)

The Terrans used DataCasters to great effect against the Vilani in the early period of the Interstellar Wars. For over a century, wars on Terra had involved an electronic warfare component, and Terran nations had developed myriad systems for overwhelming and disabling adversarial computer systems. The Vilani had no such traditions. They had not encountered malicious computer code before, and their previous enemies did not utilize electronic warfare. [14]

One of the most infamous Terran DataCaster attacks during their TL:7-9 tech epoch involved the implantation of a computer worm or virus known as Stuxxnet, or Stuck-Net, which disabled or destroyed an entire network of strategic weapon laboratories and weapons for an ancient Terran balkanized polity. [15]

References & Contributors (Sources)

Smallwikipedialogo.png This page uses content from Wikipedia. The original article was at Stuxnet. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. The text of Wikipedia is available under the Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.
This list of sources was used by the Traveller Wiki Editorial Team and individual contributors to compose this article. Copyrighted material is used under license from Mongoose Publishing or by permission of the author. The page history lists all of the contributions.
  1. ↑ Information provided to the library by Matthew Kerwin
  2. ↑ Marc Miller. T5 Core Rules (Far Future Enterprises, 2013), 386.
  3. ↑ Information provided to the library by Maksim-Smelchak
  4. ↑ Information provided to the library by Matthew Kerwin
  5. ↑ Information provided to the library by Matthew Kerwin
  6. ↑ Marc Miller. T5 Core Rules (Far Future Enterprises, 2013), 388.
  7. ↑ Marc Miller. T5 Core Rules (Far Future Enterprises, 2013), 388.
  8. ↑ Information provided to the library by Maksim-Smelchak
  9. ↑ Marc Miller. T5 Core Rules (Far Future Enterprises, 2013), 388.
  10. ↑ Information provided to the library by Maksim-Smelchak
  11. ↑ Marc Miller. T5 Core Rules (Far Future Enterprises, 2013), 388.
  12. ↑ Information provided to the library by Maksim-Smelchak
  13. ↑ Marc Miller. T5 Core Rules (Far Future Enterprises, 2013), 525.
  14. ↑ Information provided to the library by Matthew Kerwin
  15. ↑ Information provided to the library by Maksim-Smelchak
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